Eric received his B.A. in Communication Studies from Taylor University and his M.Div from Moody Graduate School in Chicago. Prior to joining the First Free staff in 2002, he served in worship music and youth ministries for six years in the Chicago suburbs. Eric and his wife Erica were married in October 2006. Listen to some of Eric's songs on his website or read his blog.   [More]

Chelsie is a recent graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with emphasis in Middle School Mathematics. Since graduation, she has worked with Minnehaha Academy, a private Christian school, as an on-call substitute. Additionally, Chelsie has worked with high school and college students in various math classes. Recently, she has been running and plans to run two half marathons this summer with a goal of the Twin Cities Marathon in October 2011!   [More]

Sam Song is an international educator and has extensive higher education experience in both China and the United States. Sam has taught at a Chinese college and has managed a private school as a senior administrator. His academic interest is teacher education and strategic leadership. Sam's professional passion is for international cooperation of education, public affairs, and business management. Sam has a Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota. Sam is married to Susan and they have a daughter, Cicy.   [More]

Russ has been a south Minneapolis resident for over 50 years. He graduated from Field Elementary, Bryant Jr. High, and Mpls. Central High Schools. He attended St. Cloud State College for 2 years, and received certificates in Data Processing and Accounting from Mpls. Vocational Technical School. Russ worked 28 years as a bookkeeper, 19 at the American Cancer Society. Currently Russ connects with the community through tutoring, mentoring, coaching, and discussing needs.   [More]

Olivia is a 2008 graduate of Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature & Writing and Biblical & Theological Studies. While at Bethel, she performed editorial work for several on-campus publications and completed an internship at Bethany House Publishers. Olivia also spent time working with various Twin Cities' non-profit organizations, including volunteering as a Kids' Church teacher at Hope Community Church.    [More]

Dawnette Scott graduated from Multnomah Bible College in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Education. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Post-Secondary Education Teaching Certificate from Bethel University. Dawnette moved to Minnesota from Portland, Oregon in 2006 to attend Bethel and help start a new non-profit, 212 Degrees. 212 Degrees is a mission organization training college students in leadership, world religions, and evangelism, using the mountains of Nepal, Tanzania and Turkey as their classroom.   [More]